LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Pre-legislative Scrutiny

Graham Allen: To ask the Leader of the House if he will make it his policy to encourage Select Committees to subject all proposals for Bills to pre-legislative scrutiny on-line.

Phil Woolas: It is for individual committees to decide, when conducting pre-legislative scrutiny, whether to make arrangements for on-line scrutiny or e-consultation. I hope that committees will, as a matter of course, consider the opportunities provided by information technology, including on-line fora of the kind used successfully by the Joint Committee on the draft Communications Bill in 2002.

Visitors' Facilities

Peter Bradley: To ask the Leader of the House what representations he has received on new facilities for visitors in the House.

Peter Hain: I am strongly in favour of making the Commons more welcoming for voters. I can report that the House of Commons Commission has asked the Administration and Accommodation and Works Committees to examine what improvements can be made and to report by Easter.

Sitting Hours

Chris Bryant: To ask the Leader of the House what assessment he has made of the impact of the new sitting hours of the House.

Phil Woolas: In October last year, a majority of Members voted to alter the sitting hours so that the House now sits from 11.30 am on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Standing Orders were changed for the rest of this Parliament, which will allow us a sufficient period to make a considered judgment on the effect of the changes.
	My right hon. Friend is aware that some Members have difficulty with the new hours, but that there is strong opinion on both sides.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Clergy Terms of Service Review

Ben Chapman: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will press the Commissioners to take steps to accelerate the timetable for the McClean review of clergy terms of service to deliver its final report.

Stuart Bell: The Church Commissioners support the view of the McClean review group that this important and complex work cannot, and should not, be rushed.
	Good progress has been made. The review has completed the first phase of its work (considering clergy without security of tenure) according to the timetable in its terms of reference. It will report to the Archbishops' Council on 9 December and it is hoped that there will be a debate by the General Synod in February, followed by a period of consultation with dioceses and clergy.
	It is hoped that the second phase of the group's work (addressing the position of clergy with the freehold and any follow-up from the first phase) will be completed by the end of 2004.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Cory Report

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the Cory report.

Paul Murphy: The Government are committed to publishing Justice Cory's reports as soon as possible, in line with the judge's terms of reference. These made it clear that any issues involving national security, the criminal process or the safety of individuals, would need to be considered carefully first.

NHS Budget

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the NHS budget for Northern Ireland in each year since 1997 was spent on private treatment; what plans he has to facilitate retrospective payment for treatment carried out privately; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: Information about the proportion of the health budget in Northern Ireland relating to private treatment is not available.
	As regards retrospective payment for treatment carried out privately, an agreement with the relevant area Health and Social Services Board for the cost to be met must be made prior to treatment commencing. To be eligible, the patient must meet certain criteria, namely that the treatment required is not available in Northern Ireland and that the patient's consultant recommends treatment elsewhere.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Mr. Demetrious Panton

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Solicitor-General what costs were incurred by the Government Legal Service in advising the Minister for Children in respect of the allegations of libel brought against her by Mr. Demetrious Panton; and who will pay the costs.

Harriet Harman: No such costs were incurred.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Voluntary Service Overseas

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people from the United Kingdom have taken part in Voluntary Service Overseas in each of the last 10 years.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: During the past decade, Voluntary Service Overseas has filled 7,915 volunteer placements; 6,637 of these were recruited in the UK. The following table gives a breakdown for each year and the place of recruitment of the other 1,278 volunteers. The figures for 2003–04 are estimates because there are still placements to be filled.
	
		
			  Canada Netherlands Portugal Kenya and Philippines UK Total departures 
		
		
			 1993–94 — — — — 711 711 
			 1994–95 — — — — 746 746 
			 1995–96 31 51 1 — 697 780 
			 1996–97 56 64 2 — 717 839 
			 1997–98 67 56 2 — 587 712 
			 1998–99 68 77 2 — 714 861 
			 1999–2000 58 74 3 — 745 880 
			 2000–01 94 85 0 32 715 926 
			 2001–02 82 78 0 67 629 856 
			 2002–03 69 81 0 78 376 604 
			 Total 525 566 10 177 6,637 7,915 
			
			 2003–04 Est. 77 95 0 130 473 775

Zimbabwe

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the outbreak of cholera in Binga, Zimbabwe.

Hilary Benn: A cholera outbreak has been reported in the two northern districts of Kariba (in Mashonaland West province) and Binga (in Matabeleland North province). A total of 173 cases and 26 deaths have so far been reported. WHO have commented that this fatality rate of approximately 15 per cent. is alarmingly high, probably due to the declining capacity of the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health to respond, and the growing food shortages. Latest reports indicate that the situation is under control in Binga, where no new infections are being recorded, but appears to be spreading in Kariba district.
	Save the Children (UK) are using emergency response resources provided by DFID to address the situation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, UNICEF, WHO, Médicine Sans Frontières (Spain) and several other NGOs. The aim is to ensure that the disease does not spread further and that those communities at risk are assisted with soap and other hygiene items, as well as water purification tablets and ORS supplies to treat diarrhoea.
	Cholera outbreaks are becoming more frequent in the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe. Save the Children (UK) are planning to use the lessons learnt during their response to this outbreak in order to conduct rapid response training for other relevant organisations involved in humanitarian operations in Zimbabwe.

SCOTLAND

Electoral Systems

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the different electoral systems in Scotland.

Alistair Darling: There are currently three voting systems used in Scotland. Elections to the UK Parliament and local councils use the first past the post system. Elections to the European Parliament use the list system of Proportional Representation while the elections to the Scottish Parliament use the additional member system of Proportional Representation.

Highlands and Islands

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) the European Commission on figures published by the Office of National Statistics for the gross domestic product of the Highlands and Islands.

Anne McGuire: No such discussions have taken place. But it is worth clarifying once and for all the situation regarding the Office for National Statistics figures and European Structural Funds. There has been no error made by the Office for National Statistics. Eligibility was based on the best information available at the time and the European Commission confirmed in November 2002 that retrospective eligibility for Objective 1 support was not possible.

Glasgow Financial District

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions his Department has had on the launch of the Glasgow Financial District.

Alistair Darling: I am aware that the Glasgow International Financial Services District had its UK launch at the London Stock Exchange recently.
	The Scotland Office will continue to work with the Scottish Executive to support this far-sighted initiative.

Scotland Act

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans the Government has to amend the Scotland Act 1998.

Alistair Darling: The Scottish Parliament (Constituencies) Bill will amend the Scotland Act by breaking the link between the number of MSPs and the number of MPs from Scottish constituencies. The proposal to transfer to the Supreme Court the function of hearing devolution disputes currently held by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council would also require an amendment to the Scotland Act.
	There are no other plans for substantive amendments to the Scotland Act in primary legislation.

Scottish Economy

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he last met the chairman of Scottish Enterprise to discuss trends in the Scottish economy.

Alistair Darling: Scottish Enterprise is formally responsible to Scottish Executive ministers, though I and my predecessors have had continuing contact in a variety of different contexts with the Chairman and past chairmen of Scottish Enterprise since devolution.

Scottish Regiments

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Scretary of State for Scotland, what recent representations he has received from the First Minister about the future of the Scottish regiments.

Anne McGuire: My right hon. Friend and the First Minister discuss a wide range of matters. They met most recently on 1 December.

Ravenscraig

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he next intends to discuss the regeneration plans for the Ravenscraig site with the First Minister.

Anne McGuire: My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with the First Minister on a wide range of issues, including economic regeneration.
	I am delighted that the Scottish Executive have approved plans for the redevelopment of the Ravenscraig site and I am sure that the project will bring long term benefits across Lanarkshire and the West of Scotland.

Pension Credit

Ernie Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on the take-up of (a) pension credit and (b) minimum income guarantee in Scotland.

Anne McGuire: Minimum income guarantee was replaced by pension credit on 6 October 2003. The Pension Service are writing to all pensioner households to give them information and to invite them to apply. Those who apply within the first 12 months will have their awards backdated to the first date of entitlement.
	Two hundred and two thousand pensioner households in Scotland are already receiving pension credit.

Pension Credit

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many pensioners in Scotland are in receipt of the pension credit.

Anne McGuire: As at the end of October, 202,000 pensioner households in Scotland were already receiving pension credit.

Scottish Parliament (Elections)

Robert Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the proposed bill to retain the current number of Members in the Scottish Parliament will be drafted to allow consideration of the method of election used for the Scottish Parliament.

Anne McGuire: The scope of the bill, which was introduced on 27 November, is a matter for the House Authorities. However, as the bill deals only with the determination of the number of constituencies and regions of the Scottish Parliament, the number of regional members per region and the arrangements for reviewing the boundaries of constituencies and regions, my understanding is that consideration of the method of election to the Scottish Parliament will be outside its scope.

Voting Systems

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans the Government has to change the voting system for elections to the Scottish Parliament.

Anne McGuire: There are no plans to change the voting system for elections to the Scottish Parliament.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Burma

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of imports into the United Kingdom from Burma was in each of the past five years.

Mike O'Brien: The value of UK imports of goods from Burma was as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1998 17.3 
			 1999 23.8 
			 2000 49.3 
			 2001 66.6 
			 2002 64.3 
			 January-September 2003 44.2 
		
	
	Source:
	Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, HM Customs and Excise.

Burma

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the current value is of the United Kingdom investment in Burma.

Mike O'Brien: According to statistics compiled by the Office for National Statistics, at the end of 2001 foreign direct investment by UK companies in Burma was worth less than £0.5 million.

Business Start-ups

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the start-up rate was for small businesses in (a) each London borough, (b) London and (c) England in each year since 1997.

Nigel Griffiths: Value added tax (VAT) registrations and de-registrations are the best official guide to the pattern of start-ups and closures. These cover businesses of all sizes.
	The rates of businesses registering for VAT in each calendar year from 1997 to 2002 in each London borough, London, and England, are as follows:
	
		Number of VAT Registrations per 10,000 Resident Adults(1)
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 England 43 43 41 42 39 39 
			
			 London 68 71 68 67 59 57 
			
			 Barking and Dagenham 25 25 30 31 29 26 
			 Barnet 94 91 76 76 60 59 
			 Bexley 39 35 34 35 36 31 
			 Brent 61 61 59 59 52 47 
			 Bromley 45 48 39 41 41 40 
			 Camden 159 158 150 142 112 110 
			 City of London 2,212 2,228 2,200 2,345 1,653 1,428 
			 Croydon 41 42 39 39 37 38 
			 Ealing 56 56 52 53 49 48 
			 Enfield 40 42 40 42 37 39 
			 Greenwich 35 35 33 33 30 29 
			 Hackney 72 83 78 81 65 63 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 77 96 84 94 85 75 
			 Haringey 57 59 59 58 51 46 
			 Harrow 58 64 55 57 54 55 
			 Havering 40 41 36 36 36 34 
			 Hillingdon 48 49 44 46 39 43 
			 Hounslow 50 52 50 49 51 47 
			 Islington 118 126 109 97 84 82 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 98 102 106 105 74 78 
			 Kingston upon Thames 60 63 55 53 48 46 
			 Lambeth 43 45 44 43 40 42 
			 Lewisham 34 36 34 33 32 28 
			 Merton 52 56 50 52 44 39 
			 Newham 33 37 35 34 31 29 
			 Redbridge 45 50 46 46 40 38 
			 Richmond upon Thames 72 75 70 72 65 71 
			 Southwark 57 59 55 59 55 48 
			 Sutton 43 44 39  36 36 
			 Tower Hamlets 73 79 78 75 65 62 
			 Waltham Forest 39 42 41 39 36 37 
			 Wandsworth 57 60 61 56 53 52 
			 Westminster 329 364 390 360 304 288 
		
	
	(1) Mid-year resident adult (16 and over) population estimates
	Source:
	Business Start-ups and Closures: VAT Registrations and De-registrations 1994–2002 from the Small Business Service; population data from The Office for National Statistics
	For further information on the VAT statistics please see: www.sbs.gov.uk/statistics/vatstats.php

Competitiveness Council

Jim Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Competitiveness Council on 27 November; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I represented the UK at the Competitiveness Council on 26–27 November 2003.
	Member States agreed to support France as the EU's candidate for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). It was also agreed that the legal entity for the project would be incorporated in Spain with an office in a city near the French border, and Spain would have one of the two EU directors.
	Commissioner Busquin introduced the White Paper on Space emphasising the three main axes: citizens needs, exemplified by satellite projects such as Galileo and Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES); consolidating Europe's space Science and Technology expertise important for growth; and a framework for better use of existing resources.
	The Presidency emphasised the importance of the latest approach on the Growth Initiative. R&D projects were included for the first time, and innovative financing instruments would be used, combining FP6, PPPs and EIB funding.
	The Commission introduced its new Communication on an Integrated Competitiveness Strategy. Amongst other things it outlines ways to facilitate the work of the Competitiveness Council, and emphasises the three elements of rigorous analysis of challenges; better regulation; and innovation and entrepreneurship.
	We welcomed this strategy and the other Reports and Scoreboards presented at the Council. These help us understand the scale of the task we face in delivering economic reform in the EU. The Council adopted wide-ranging conclusions on competitiveness based on these.
	Unanimous agreement was reached on the adoption of the proposed review of the Mergers Regulation. The new Regulation introduces some flexibility into the investigation timeframes although their predictability is unaffected, reinforces the "one-stop shop" concept so that it benefits firms, and clarifies that the substantive test contained in the regulation covers all types of harmful scenarios, whether dominance by a single firm or effects stemming from a situation of oligopoly that might harm the interests of European consumers.
	Ministers at the Council also reached an agreement on the Takeovers Directive. The agreement makes key articles optional for Member States. It allows them to decide either to impose the defensive measures allowed for in articles 9 and/or 11 on all their listed companies or, if they did not do so, allow companies to voluntarily "opt-in" to the provisions of those articles). Companies will be required to disclose their status as opted-in or out.
	Discussion on the final outstanding points on the Regulation to establish a Community Patent continued on and off throughout the Council. Discussion hinged on the issues of languages, in particular, the legal effect of translations on a patent claim and the length of time allowed to file such translations. On the issue of legal effect, the Council managed to find compromise wording. Agreement, however, was not reached on the deadline for filing translations.
	A UK compromise text was adopted on the Fifth Motor Insurance Directive, which improves insurance cover for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the EU, whilerespecting national liability and compensation law.
	Agreement was also reached on a revision to the Community Trademark.

Growth Capital

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the results of the joint HM Treasury and Small Business Service Consultation aimed at improving access to growth capital for small businesses will be published.

Nigel Griffiths: Over 150 written responses were received on 'Bridging the finance gap: a consultation on improving access to growth capital for small businesses' from a wide range of interested parties. The Government are considering these responses, and the outcome of the consultation will be published before the Christmas recess.

Jewellery Sector

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when and on what basis her Department commissioned research from consultants Gorham and Partners Ltd. underlying her Department's 2001 report into the competitiveness of the UK jewellery sector; and if she will break down the cost of the research between her Department and each of the contributors.

Jacqui Smith: The Competitiveness Analysis of the UK Jewellery Sector was commissioned in Feburary 2000 following consultation with industry representatives to provide an in-depth analysis of the sector's competitive position.
	Following publication of the Competitiveness Analysis the Industry formed the National Jewellery Steering Group, which continues to meet to take forward the issues identified in the CA.
	The Analysis cost £93,000 of which the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths contributed £30,000 and the DTI £63,000.

Online for Business Website

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many individuals are registered to use the UK Online for Business website.

Nigel Griffiths: As of October 2003 UK Online for Business website has 28,533 registered users.

Telecommunications Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Telecommunications Council held on 20 November 2003; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Deputy UK Permanent Representative to the European Union, Anne Lambert, attended the Council on 20 November 2003 on my behalf.
	There was a round-table debate on the state of the Telecoms sector, in particular, member states' implementation of the Telecoms Regulatory Package, and on 3rd generation mobile and broadband penetration and availability. France (Fontaine) reported on a joint Franco-British ministerial round table with industry leaders, which had proved fruitful in identifying the key success factors for broadband: viable business models throughout the value chain; regulatory stability and predictability; interoperability between platforms; user confidence through a more secure internet; and proper returns for intellectual property. Emphasising that she was also speaking on my behalf, Fontaine proposed that a similar event involving business leaders from across the value chain should be held at EU level in order to help promote the most effective conditions for broadband. Other member states, including the forthcoming Irish Presidency, expressed strong interest in carrying the initiative forward. Presidency concluded that a report of the debate would be submitted to the 12 December European Council. There was also a brief discussion of preparations for the World Summit on the Information Society to be held in Geneva in December.
	The Presidency noted that agreement had been reached between the Council and the European Parliament at its first reading on a General Agreement on the structure and tasks of a Regulation establishing a new European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA). The Government supported this proposal but noted that they would have to abstain when it is formally adopted on the grounds that the legal base proposed—Article 95—is inappropriate for this body.
	Council Conclusions on: the transition of analogue to digital broadcasting; digital TV and 3rd generation mobile endorsing the Commission's plans for consultation and follow-up action; and calling on member states and the Commission to work towards removing remaining barriers to E-Government services were adopted without substantial debate.

Trade Deficit (EU)

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on (a) the latest goods trade deficit with the European Union and (b) how this figure compares with previous figures.

Mike O'Brien: According to figures published by the Office for National Statistics, the UK goods trade deficit with the European Union was worth £2.2 billion in September 2003. The deficit in the latest three-month period was £5.7 billion compared to £5.4 billion in the previous quarter, and £5.5 billion in the three-month period ended September 2002. The latest three-month deficit represents 10.0 per cent. of the total trade with the European Union. This compares with 9.4 per cent. in the previous quarter and 9.1 per cent. in the same quarter a year earlier.

TRANSPORT

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will reply to the letter to him dated 20 October 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. Barry Johnson.

Alistair Darling: My Department has no record of receiving a letter dated 20 October 2003 from the right hon. Member. However, to enable me to respond, my private secretary has requested a copy of the correspondence.

Low-cost Airlines

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the European Commission regarding airport and business subsidies to low cost airlines; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government have had no discussions with the European Commission on this issue.

Rail Safety

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the implications for safety of the procedure of turning a rail track; whether the turning of a curved rail track has been assessed as having a safety implication; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: This is an operational matter for Network Rail and as with all safety issues, the Health and Safety Executive. I am however assured by Network Rail that turning or 'transposing' of rail is carefully controlled to ensure that only rail with sufficient head width is transposed. In such cases rail standards with clearly defined limits for permissible side wear exist.

Rail Safety

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what inspection methods are in place to discover (a) corrosion pitting and (b) possible problems at the foot and web of a rail track; what plans he has to improve inspection methods relevant to these conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: This is an operational matter for Network Rail who inform me that a number of new techniques are currently under trial or development to improve the detection of rail depth, corrosion pitting and gall over sleepers.
	Ultrasonic Testing vehicles are now routinely monitoring rail depth for most major routes and guided ultrasonic equipment is currently being trailed which carries out inspection of the whole cross section of the rail from a fixed point using low frequency longitudinal ultrasonic waves. This should enable significant changes in section in the head, web or foot of the rail to be detected whether due to cracking or loss of section due to corrosion.
	Coated rail products are also being used successfully in the network where local environments are harsh. This provides a barrier coating to the head and foot of the rail preventing corrosion or damage.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Tuition Fees

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which university vice-chancellors or other heads of higher education institutions have expressed to him (a) support for and (b) opposition to differential tuition fees.

Alan Johnson: Both my right hon. Friend and I have received numerous representations from universities on a number of matters related to the funding of higher education, both by means of formal correspondence and in meetings with Vice Chancellors and others from the higher education sector. The majority have expressed support for variable fees. UUK which is the representative body for Universities also supports variable fees.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Legal Aid

David Chaytor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of legal aid.

Christopher Leslie: The Government remains firmly committed to the principles of legal aid—both criminal and civil—as a means of protecting fundamental rights and tackling social exclusion.
	We must make sure that our services are tightly focused on the needs of the public.
	We also have to live within our financial allocation—now almost £2 billion—with demand increasing more quickly than inflation. If we do not bear down on this problem it will limit the money available for tackling social exclusion.

Miners' Compensation

Eric Illsley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will discuss with the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors complaints about success fees taken by solicitors in mining disease cases in Barnsley; and if he will make a statement;

Graham Allen: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if the Secretary of State will establish an inquiry into the operation of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors in monitoring complaints about the level of fees levied by solicitors acting for people making claims for mining-related diseases; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (John Cryer), Official Report, column 366.

Miners' Compensation

Jon Trickett: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when he next plans to visit the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors to discuss complaints about the level of fees levied on widows by solicitors acting for them in mining disease claims.

Christopher Leslie: Arrangements are being made for my hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr. Lammy) to visit the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors in the new year.

Courthouses

Bob Russell: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many courthouses have been constructed by means of a private finance initiative since 1997.

Christopher Leslie: There have been six magistrates courts constructed by means of public-private partnerships since 1997.
	Hull
	Beverly
	Bridlington
	Hereford
	Worcester
	Kidderminster.
	A further three magistrates courthouses are currently being constructed by means of the PPP. These are:
	City of Manchester
	Derby
	Chesterfield.

Judicial Appointments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many representations he has received in response to his consultation paper on judicial appointments.

Christopher Leslie: Consultation formally closed on 7 November. At 27 November, 270 responses had been received. We now are in the process of analysing responses.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bovine TB

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what effect her decision to remove the reactive culling of badgers from the research programme on the interaction between TB in badgers and TB in cattle will have on the report date.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 1 December 2003
	None. The proactive element the trial will continue to its conclusion in 2006, after which the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB will report the full results.

Fisheries

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Strategy Unit will publish its report into the future of the UK fishing industry.

Ben Bradshaw: I understand that the Strategy Unit is now expecting to publish its report early next year.

GM Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department will offer to the forthcoming EU Regulatory Committee on the application for the sale of Bt 11 GM corn.

Elliot Morley: Bt 11 GM maize is already available for sale in the EU, including the UK, under a consent granted by the UK in 1998. The scope of this consent was limited to import of grain and processing for animal feed and other non-food uses.
	The company that owns Bt 11 GM maize has made a further application for consent for commercial cultivation in the EU and this is currently being considered under EU Directive 2001/18. No date has yet been set for collective EU discussion and decision making on this application in the relevant EU regulatory committee. If such a date is set in the future, my Department will lead in developing a UK line, taking due account of scientific evidence.
	An application for use of Bt 11 GM maize in food is also being considered under EC Novel Foods Regulation 258/97. The Food Standards Agency is the UK competent authority and will represent the UK Government at the EC Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health meeting on 8 December 2003 when the application is due to be discussed.

GM Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when she expects to make a decision with her European counterparts, on whether the EU will grant a licence for the commercial planting of GM crops;
	(2)  what time scale she has set for the determination of applications for licences to grow GM crops in the United Kingdom.

Elliot Morley: Decisions on applications to release particular GM crops for commercial cultivation in the EU—including the UK—are subject to collective EU agreement under the procedures and timetable set down in EC Directive 2001/18. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, whereby each proposed GM product is judged on its own merits according to scientific evidence.
	EU-wide licenses for three types of GM maize were granted in 1997–98. None can yet be grown commercially in the UK because no varieties of these three types of GM maize have been added to either the UK national list of seeds or the EU Common Catalogue. One variety, ChardonLL, of the GM maize T25, is awaiting a decision in the UK but this is not expected before the new year.
	There are currently 12 pending applications for approval under the directive for commercial cultivation of particular GM crops. Ten are still at the first stage of assessment by the lead member state. The other two have been forwarded by the lead member state with a favourable opinion and are currently being considered by all member states. It is not possible to say precisely when decisions will be taken, but we do not expect any final decisions on current applications before mid-2004.

GM Crops

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the countries where Liberty Link GM maize is commercially grown.

Elliot Morley: This Department does not keep records of countries where Liberty Link GM maize is commercially grown.

TREASURY

"Financial Support and Young People"

Charles Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish the findings of his survey, "Financial Support and Young People"; and in what format.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chancellor announced a review of financial support for 16 to 19-year-olds in this year's Budget. The Government are committed to consult young people and parents as part of the review. As one strand of this consultation, HM Treasury commissioned the National Children's Bureau to survey young people with a questionnaire "Financial Support and Young People". The results of the survey will inform the review which will report in spring 2004 and feed into the 2004 Spending Review.

Alternative Investment Market

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what representations his Department has received from the European Commission on the Alternative Investment Market becoming an unregulated market; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what his policy is on an Alternative Investment Market which is unregulated; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what research his Department has undertaken on how an unregulated Alternative Investment Market would affect (a) companies and (b) investors; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what discussions his Department has had with the (a) London Stock Exchange and (b) Financial Services Authority on the Alternative Investment Market becoming an unregulated market; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge and Chryston (Mr. Clarke) on 4 November 2003, Official Report, columns 618–19W.

Children's Clothes (VAT)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  above what size children's clothes are subject to VAT;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of children's school uniforms liable for VAT (a) now and (b) in 1997;
	(3)  how much revenue was raised from VAT on children's clothes in the last year for which figures are available.

John Healey: A zero rate of VAT applies to young children's clothing and footwear provided they conform with the size limits detailed in the Customs and Excise Public Notice 714 and are marketed exclusively for children under the age of 14.
	In Budget 2001, the scope of the zero rate was simplified and modernized to reflect more accurately the change in size of the average 13-year-old. The cost of these changes to the Exchequer was estimated at £20 million per annum.
	No estimate has been made of revenue raised from clothing bought for children which does not meet the zero rate criteria, or of the proportion of school uniforms that bear VAT.

Contractors

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what pension arrangements he requires for employees of contractors offering outsourcing services to (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; whether he distinguishes between transferred employees and those directly recruited by the contractor; and whether any of these employees can join the Civil Service Pension scheme.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury does not seek to establish the pension arrangements their contractors have with their staff. However, where it is deemed that the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE) regulations apply, there is a need for the contractor to provide an analogous pension scheme for staff transferred to them as a result of winning the contract.

Correspondence

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter of 17 July from the right hon. Member for Birkenhead to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in respect of a constituent, Mr. Peter Clark of Cleveland Street, Birkenhead.

Ruth Kelly: I am sorry for the delay in sending a substantive reply to my right hon. Friend's letter of 17 July to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. I can confirm that a reply has now been sent as follows:
	Letter from Ruth Kelly to Mr. Frank Field dated 2 December 2003
	Further to my letter of 4 September, I am sorry not to have replied more quickly to your letter to Paul Boateng of 17 July on behalf of your constituent, Mr. Peter Clark of McIvers, Cleveland Street, Birkenhead.
	You note that McIvers are liable to pay asbestosis claims as a result of the insolvency of Chester Street Insurance Holding Ltd., and that they will not receive support from the FSCS.
	The government has worked hard with the insurance industry to end the uncertainty for victims of asbestosis, and their families, whose former employers had insured with Chester Street. Those arrangements were set out in Andrew Smith's statement on 10 May 2001.
	For employers, under their rules the Financial Services Compensation Scheme may be able to offer compensation for employers' liability insurance claims incurred after 31 December 1971, when insurance became compulsory. But there is no eligibility for compensation to employers before that date. If a firm is still trading and has sufficient financial resources to satisfy a claim, the firm will be expected to meet the claim itself. I understand, from the FSCS, that there is no flexibility on this point. The FSCS rules are governed by the Policyholders Protection Act 1975.
	I hope Mr. Clark will find this helpful.

Correspondence

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Northavon to the Paymaster General of 3 October, regarding child tax credit compensation payments.

Dawn Primarolo: I have already done so.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 27 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Ms N.Oakes.

Dawn Primarolo: I have done so.

Debt (Late Payments)

Brian Cotter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims for statutory interest payments have been submitted to private companies under the terms of the Late Payment of Debt Act 1998; how many claims were met; and what the total value was of such payments in each year since the Act has been in operation.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury has not made any claims to private companies for statutory interest payments under the 1998 Act.

Dependent Children

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of families with (a) one, (b) two, (c) three and (d) four or more dependent children in (i) 1973, (ii) 1983, (iii) 1993 and (iv) the latest year for which figures are available.

Ruth Kelly: This matter falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 2 December 2003
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking for estimates of the number of families with (a) one, (b) two, (c) three and (d) four or more dependent children in (i) 1973, (ii) 1983, (iii) 1993 and (iv) the latest year for which figures are available. I am replying in his absence. (141497)
	Published volumes from the Censuses of 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001 contain information on dependent children, and are the closest years to the periods you requested for which information is available. The information is derived from a 100 per cent count for 2001. For the 1971, 1981 and 1991 Censuses, responses to some questions which needed detailed coding and were, therefore, expensive to process were processed for only a 10% sample of forms. The samples were drawn randomly. Guidance given to users for 1971 and 1981 was to gross up the figures to 100% by multiplying the sample figures by 10. In 1991 guidance was different in that users were advised to estimate 100% figures by multiplying the sample count by a sampling factor, slightly over 10 to take account of the numbers of households imputed in the 100% figures but which were not included in the 10% sample. This grossing factor varied from area to area. For households in England and Wales it was 10.2.
	It should also be noted that the definition of a dependent child has varied over censuses.
	
		2001 Census
		
			 England and Wales Number 
		
		
			 Families with one dependent child 2,715,241 
			 Families with two dependent children 2,530,569 
			 Families with three or more dependent children 1,130,891 
		
	
	Source:
	Table S007 Census 2001 National Report for England and Wales
	
		1991 Census
		
			 England and Wales Number 
		
		
			 Families with one dependent child 2,542,554 
			 Families with two dependent children 2,437,045 
			 Families with three or more dependent children 1,034,158 
		
	
	Source:
	1991 Table 13 Census Household and Family Composition
	
		1981 Census
		
			 England and Wales Number 
		
		
			 Families with one dependent child 2,560,060 
			 Families with two dependent children 2,677,460 
			 Families with three dependent children 852,720 
			 Families with four or more dependent children 283,830 
		
	
	Source:
	Table 23 Census 1981 Household and Family Composition
	
		1971 Census
		
			 England and Wales Number 
		
		
			 Families with one dependent child 2,513,080 
			 Families with two dependent children 2,328,370 
			 Families with three dependent children 983,210 
			 Families with four dependent children 356,500 
			 Families with five or more dependent children 184,270 
		
	
	Source:
	Table 35 Census 1971 Household Composition Tables Part III

Domestic Wine Production

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of fiscal measures to (a) stimulate and (b) support the domestic production of wine.

John Healey: The Government are mindful of the concerns and interests of UK wine producers. The UK wine industry has benefited from duty freezes in three out of the last six Budgets and increases only in line with inflation in the remainder of these.
	We have not looked at fiscal measures for all UK wine producers but we have looked at the possibility of fiscal measures that would help small UK wineries to survive and grow. However, the European Directive on the structure of alcohol duties does provides for reduced rates targeted at small breweries which we have implemented in the UK, it does not provide for reduced rates targeted at small wineries.
	Even if the UK were to press for the introduction of such a scheme, it is important to appreciate that less than 1 per cent. of the wine consumed in the UK is domestically produced. Under our European and world trade agreements we could not apply such a scheme to UK wine producers only and it is therefore likely that much of the wine that would qualify would come from overseas producers, with our own small wineries receiving comparatively very little of the benefit.

ECOFIN

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons were for voting against the first reading common position of the ECOFIN Council or the Investment Services Directive; and what his key objectives are for a compromise agreement.

Ruth Kelly: On 7 October, ECOFIN Council reached political agreement on a Common Position on the proposed Investment Services Directive, by qualified majority. The UK, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden and Finland voted against the text put forward by the Presidency.
	The Government voted against the text proposed at ECOFIN because it contained unsatisfactory elements that the Government believed meant that it would fall short of its objective of promoting an efficient, effective and dynamic single market in investment services.
	The Government was particularly disappointed by the outcome on the pre-trade transparency regime for investment firms that systematically internalise client orders. It believes that the regime proposed would be a step backward for some share-trading markets in the EU, including the UK, and would be a missed opportunity to increase competition and efficiency in many markets in the EU.
	The Government will continue to press for changes to the Directive, especially through the second reading process in the European Parliament. In doing so, it will focus on achieving changes to the pre-trade transparency regime for investment firms that would be consistent with the European Parliament's first reading amendments.
	At ECOFIN Council on 25 November, the Government secured agreement to a Declaration, to be adopted alongside the Council Common Position, which reiterates the Council's support for adoption of the Investment Services Directive by April 2004 and, more importantly, indicates a willingness on the part of the Council to consider amendments put forward by the European Parliament.

EDS

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contracts (a) his Department and (b) agencies for whom his Department is responsible have with EDS; what the (i) scope and (ii) duration is of each contract; and how many staff were transferred to EDS in each case when those contracts were set up.

Ruth Kelly: The information is as follows:
	Inland Revenue
	The EAGLE contract for EDS to supply IT services to the Inland Revenue commenced in 1994 and runs for 10 years, expiring on 30 June 2004. The contract provided for a full range of IT services; from IS/IT strategy, through design, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of systems to desktop and network support and full data support. A total of 1,900 staff were TUPE transferred from the Inland Revenue to EDS.
	HM Customs and Excise
	HMCE have one framework agreement with EDS for consultancy services to assist in delivering a new Human Resource Management System to HMCE. This framework is valid from July 2002 for the period up to the end of March 2005. No staff have been transferred to EDS from HMCE.
	HM Treasury
	HM Treasury has no commercial relationship with EDS.

Equitable Life

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has been given by Lord Penrose on the likely timing of the publication of his report on Equitable Life.

Ruth Kelly: The publication of Lord Penrose's report is a matter for the Government rather than Lord Penrose. The Treasury will publish Lord Penrose's report, in full if this is at all possible, as soon as is practicable following receipt of the report.

European Structural Funds

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Treasury plans to repatriate European structural funds.

Ruth Kelly: The Government's policy for European structural funds are as set out by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in her statement to this House on 17 September. The Government believes that the EU Framework for Devolved Regional Policy provides the basis for an outcome that is best for the new member states, for Europe, and for the nations and regions of the United Kingdom.
	The Government will also respond to this House in more detail on some of the questions raised in the domestic consultation in the near future.

Gold Sales

Charles Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the current value is of the investments made in euro, dollar and yen interest bearing assets from the proceeds of gold sales between July 1999 and March 2002; and what their current value would be if still held as gold.

Ruth Kelly: My answer to the hon. Gentleman on 27 October 2003, Official Report, column 39, explained that the gold sales between July 1999 and March 2002 reflected a prudent decision to reduce over-exposure to a single asset in the net reserves portfolio. The gold sales reduced risk by around 30 per cent. (as measured by value-at-risk) and are not expected to deliver a loss in return when measured over the medium to long-term, the appropriate time horizon for such a decision.

Inland Revenue (IT System)

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a market-making exercise was conducted by the Inland Revenue in support of the original contract for the IT system for the Inland Revenue; and who the prospective suppliers engaged with the Inland Revenue in the conduct of that market-making exercise were.

Dawn Primarolo: The initial Market-making exercise for the EAGLE contract prompted six responses to the OJEC notice. The suppliers involved were:
	CSC Europe/IBM UK
	EDS Ltd.
	Hoskyns Group plc
	ICL/Anderson Consulting
	Digital Alliance (Digital Equipment Co., Logica and Barclays)
	Sema Group UK
	Of these suppliers, two were invited to tender—EDS Ltd. and CSC Europe/IBM UK. The preferred supplier was announced in December 1993, and the contract awarded in May 1994.

Investment

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what change there has been in (a) business investment, (b) manufacturing investment and (c) service sector investment in each of the last six years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Stephen O'Brien, dated 2 December 2003
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the change there has been in (a) business investment, (b) manufacturing investment and (c) service sector investment in each of the last six years. I am replying in his absence. (140950)
	The information requested is shown in the table below. The appropriate chained volume measure series have been used i.e. the effects of price changes through the period have been excluded.
	
		Percentage change compared with previous year(Chained volume measures)
		
			 Period (a) Business Investment (b) Total Manufacturing Investment (c) Total Sector Investment Service 
		
		
			 1997 10.1 11.2 11.6 
			 1998 18.1 4.2 29.2 
			 1999 2.8 -8.8 8.0 
			 2000 4.6 -3.0 10.1 
			 2001 3.6 -9.7 5.8 
			 2002 -3.5 -10.3 -1.2

Procurement Card Scheme

Brian Cotter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Government departments operate the Government Procurement Card scheme; and how many cases of fraud have been identified since the scheme was introduced.

Paul Boateng: 122 organisations currently operate the Government Procurement Card Scheme. A list of them has been placed in the Library of the House.
	There have, since the inception of the GPC scheme in 1999, been a small number of incidences of fraud on the Government Procurement Card. All of these incidences have been reported in the HM Treasury Fraud Report, which can be found through the following link:
	http://www.hm-treasury gov uk/Documents/Public spending and Services/Audit and Accounting/pss aud fraud.cfm

Projects (St. Helens)

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which projects have been (a) wholly and (b) partly funded by his Department in St. Helens since 1997; when each project was announced; when it started or was expected to start; what funding was provided by (i) Government and (ii) a third party; what third party provided funding; what the target group of the project was; what the projected outcome of the project was; and what the name of the project was.

Ruth Kelly: Two projects have been partly funded by the Invest to Save Budget (ISB) in St. Helens since 1997. These were announced in February 2000 and March 2001 respectively.
	The projects were: 'Early Intervention Equals Timely Prevention' funding by Government for this project was £241,000. Third party funding was by a partnership consisting of St. Helens Metropolitan Borough Council and St. Helens area Merseyside Police. The target groups were victims and potential victims of crime. The projected outcome was to reduce the incidences of victimisation and repeat victimisation and to make an impact on crime and disorder in the St. Helens area.
	'The Advice Connections' funding provided by Government to this project was £180,000. Third party funding was by a partnership consisting of The Legal Services Commission for Merseyside, St. Helens Metropolitan Borough Council, St. Helens and Knowsley Health Authority, Council for Voluntary Services, Coalition of Disabled People, Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureau, The Liverpool Law Society, The Benefits Agency and St. Helens County Court. The target group is citizens likely to suffer from social exclusion. The projected outcome was increased and improved access to legal information and advice services.
	Of course HMT allocates spending to departments who will spend this in every authority including St. Helens.

Public Corporations

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all public corporations and in respect of each, the (a) rate of return on capital employed required by the Treasury and (b) sums paid in by each corporation to the Treasury in 2002–03.

Paul Boateng: A list of public corporations has been deposited in the Library of the House.
	The rate of return on capital employed that is required for an individual public corporation is set by the department that sponsors the body. Departments set this rate in accordance with guidance issued by the Treasury taking into account the type of activity engaged in and the market the body operates in.
	For 2002–03 departmental resource accounts list the amount of dividends and interest payments from public corporations that were paid into the Consolidated Fund by departments.
	Under the new budgeting regime announced as part of Spending Review 2002 (that came into effect from 1 April 2003) dividend and interest payments from public corporations are no longer returned to the Consolidated Fund. They are retained by the sponsor department.

Suicides

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many suicides per 100,000 of the relevant population there were in each year since 1990 (a) in total, (b) for women, (c) for men and (d) for men under the age of 30; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 2 December 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many suicides there were per 100,000 people in each year since 1990 (a) in total, (b) for women, (c) for men and (d) for men under the age of 30. (141111)
	The most recent available mortality data are for the calendar year 2002 and cover England and Wales. The attached table contains suicide rates for each year from 1990 to 2002.
	
		Age-standardised(2) rate per 100,000 for deaths from suicide and injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted(3), England and Wales, 1990 to 2002(4)
		
			  (a) Total(5) (b) Women(6) (c) Men(6) (d) Men aged under 30(7) 
		
		
			 1990 10.5 6.8 20.4 18.7 
			 1991 10.4 6.5 20.5 18.0 
			 1992 10.4 6.4 20.4 17.9 
			 1993 9.9 6.1 19.4 17.5 
			 1994 9.6 5.6 19.3 18.8 
			 1995 9.7 5.9 19.1 17.8 
			 1996 9.1 5.6 18.0 17.1 
			 1997 9.3 5.7 18.4 18.6 
			 1998 9.6 5.5 19.4 18.9 
			 1999 9.6 5.7 19.2 17.4 
			 2000 9.1 5.7 17.8 16.1 
			 2001 8.6 5.1 17.1 14.1 
			 2002 8.6 5.3 16.8 13.7 
		
	
	(2) Age-standardised to the European standard population.
	(3) The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (1CD-9) codes E950-E959 and E980-E989 excluding E988.8 for the years 1990 to 2000, and, for the year 2001 and 2002, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 and Y10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending.
	(4) Figures are for deaths registered per calendar year from 1990 to 1992 and for deaths occurring per calendar year from 1993 onwards.
	(5) Persons of all ages.
	(6) Aged 15 and over.
	(7) Aged between 15 and 29.

Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information existing child tax credit and working tax credit recipients will be required to submit in order to support a 2004–05 award; when that information will be requested; how recipients will be informed of the requirement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden) on 19 November 2003, Official Report, columns 1099–1100W.

Income Tax

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional revenue would be raised from the residents of (a) each of the district councils in Dorset and (b) the Bournemouth and Poole unitary authorities for every penny increase in the basic rate of income tax.

Dawn Primarolo: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		Additional full-year yield of increasing the basic rate of taxby 1p in 2000–01 (in £ millions)
		
			  
		
		
			 (a) District councils in Dorset  
			 Christchurch 1.9 
			 East Dorset 4.2 
			 North Dorset 2.3 
			 Purbeck 1.7 
			 West Dorset 4.2 
			 Weymouth and Portland 4.2 
			 (b) Bournemouth and Poole unitary authorities 14.5 
		
	
	Estimates are based upon the 2000–01 Survey of Personal Incomes. The effects of the illustrative changes can be scaled up or down over a reasonably wide range. The results exclude any behavioral response to the tax change.

Income Tax

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the revenue from (a) income tax and (b) corporation tax was in each tax year since 1996–97 in (i) current and (ii) real terms using 1996–97 as the base.

Dawn Primarolo: Income tax and corporation tax receipts in current terms are published on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.qov.uk/stats/tax receipts/031 R12.pdf.
	Receipts in real terms can be calculated using GDP deflators. The Treasury publishes GDP deflators on the HM Treasury website at
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/economic data and tools/gdp,deflators/data gdp index.cfm.

Income Tax

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase in the basic rate of tax would be needed to raise (a) £80 million and (b) £120 million in the current year from the income tax payers of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Dawn Primarolo: The yield from increasing the basic rate of income tax in 2000–01 by 1p in Newcastle upon Tyne is £10 million. This result can be scaled up to see the effects of higher increases but would exclude any behavioural response to the tax change. This estimate is based upon the 2000–01 Survey of Personal Incomes.

Timber

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means the policy for purchasing timber and timber products of (a) the Treasury, (b) the Debt Management Office, (c) the Office for National Statistics, (d) the Royal Mint and (e) the Valuation Office ensure that they are obtained from legal and sustainable sources.

Ruth Kelly: All suppliers are provided with a clear statement of the Government's commitment to purchase timber and timber products from legally binding and sustainable sources. Suppliers are required, as a condition of contract, to produce evidence of these sustainable and legal timber sources.

Travel Passes

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether employees of Transport for London are liable to pay (a) income tax and (b) national insurance contributions on the market value of free travel passes issued to their nominees under the scheme operated by TfL.

Dawn Primarolo: Employees who receive free or cheap travel vouchers from their employer, for themselves or members of their families, will generally be taxable on the benefit by reference to the cost to the employer. There will also be a liability to class 1 (employer and employee) national insurance contributions.

DEFENCE

Dockyard Radiation Workers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy (a) to ensure that the general practitioners of families of dockyard radiation workers are informed about the occupation and encouraged to enter it on the records of the children of these workers and (b) to ensure that (i) retired and (ii) former radiation workers have the opportunity of a radiation medical once a year through the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: It is a matter for dockyard radiation workers to consider what information they offer to their GP about their employment. Decisions concerning what to record within medical records is a matter for professional judgment and for guidelines that may be provided by the Department of Health or the appropriate professional bodies or associations. Similarly decisions about whether to offer annual medical examinations to retired or ex-radiation workers through the NHS is a matter for the Department of Health.
	The Ministry of Defence provides an independent counselling service for radiation workers, former radiation workers and their families who have concerns about their health consequent of their work with radiation. Individuals may request counselling by telephoning the Counselling Telephone line (02392 768098) and leaving their names and addresses or by writing to the MOD Counselling Registry at DSTL Radiological Protection Services, Crescent Road, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hants PO 12 2DL. Further details are available on the world wide web at http://www.mod.uk/dsef/hp/rwc.htm

Armed Forces Pensions

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many (a) retired personnel and (b) widows in each of the three armed services have been identified as incorrectly paying tax on retired pay and pensions awarded since 1952 on the grounds of disability attributable to or aggravated by service; and how many of these are (i) pre-1973 pensioners and (ii) post-1973 pensioners;
	(2)  how many (a) retired personnel and (b) widows in each of the three armed services identified as incorrectly paying tax on retired pay and pensions awarded since 1952 on the grounds of disability attributable to or aggravated by service have received additional compensation;
	(3)  what criteria are used in determining additional compensation payments for retired personnel and widows of the three armed services identified as incorrectly paying tax on retired pay and pensions;
	(4)  if he will commission an independent inquiry into arrangements for paying compensation to retired personnel and widows of the three armed services identified as incorrectly paying tax on retired pay and pensions.

Ivor Caplin: The following table shows the total number of individuals identified as incorrectly paying tax on their armed forces invaliding pensions since 1952. Attributable pensions paid to widows are not tax free under Inland Revenue rules, though in some cases widows may have been the beneficiaries of refunds where the pensioner is deceased. These figures are broken down by service and by pre-73 and post 1973 pensioners.
	
		
			 As at August 2003 Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Total 
		
		
			 Pre-1973 57 300 13 370 
			 Post-1973 204 828 110 1,142 
			 Total 261 1,128 123 1,512 
		
	
	Inland Revenue repayment supplement has already been paid on all tax refunds. The level of compensation to be paid to individuals affected by the tax error is a matter for the Department. I do not intend to commission an independent inquiry. Individuals who are unhappy with the Department's decision on additional compensation will be able to take their cases to the Pensions Ombudsman or to the courts. I intend to announce our decision with respect to additional compensation by 18 December.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Licensing Act

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  when she will next meet representatives of local government to discuss the fee arrangements for the licensing system;
	(2)  whether full cost recovery through the Government's designated licence fee structure will include the cost of enforcement and administration of the new licensing regime;
	(3)  how her commitment to ensure the costs of the new licensing system are fully covered by fees will be achieved;
	(4)  if she will make a statement on the underlying analysis and financial models which provided the basis for the fee structure for the new licensing arrangements;
	(5)  what discussions she has had with other Government Departments about the costs of the Licensing Act 2003;
	(6)  if she will make a statement on the effect of the full cost of recovery on local authorities under the new licensing arrangements.

Richard Caborn: A regulatory impact assessment setting out our estimates of the fee levels and the underlying analysis was published with the Licensing Bill in November 2002 and placed in the Library of the House. No final decisions have been made about the fees to be prescribed under the Licensing Act 2003, and we are presently considering carefully information and material provided by representatives of local authorities before making those decisions. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has met representatives of local authorities to discuss fees, among other things, and my predecessor with responsibility for licensing reform, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells), also met representatives on several occasions to discuss these matters. My officials have been discussing fees, among other things, with representatives of local authorities since November 1999. These discussions have now been completed and we hope to announce shortly the fees that the Secretary of State intends to prescribe under the 2003 Act, though we will continue to meet representatives of local authorities to discuss other matters relating to the implementation of the new legislation. We have repeatedly given assurances both in the House and to representatives of local authorities that the fees will be set at a level which permits recovery of the full costs of administration, inspection and enforcement to local authorities associated with the licensing functions under the 2003 Act. The Secretary of State has also agreed with representatives of the local authorities to allow an independent review of the costs of the new licensing regime and the fee levels after the end of the transitional period, and if any changes are necessary, they will be made. All interested Government Departments were involved in discussions with my Department about the preparation of the regulatory impact assessment and my officials have more recently had discussions about fees with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Before making final decisions on the fee levels, we intend to have further discussions with all interested Government Departments.

National Lottery

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money was spent per capita on playing the National Lottery (a) in each of the regions of England and Wales and (b) in the Vale of York in each of the past three years.

Estelle Morris: This information is not available. However, in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Morley and Rothwell (Mr. Challen) on 22 October 2002, Official Report, columns 182–83, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Sport and Tourism placed in the Library a table listing sales by postcode area since the Lottery's launch. I will provide an update of the table to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, and place a copy in the Libraries of both Houses.

Rugby

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department has invested in promotion of rugby in the UK since 1997.

Richard Caborn: Since 1997, the Department has invested a total of £48.7 million in the promotion of rugby. Rugby Union will also receive £9.4 million over 2003–04 to 2005–06 as part of the Community Club Development Programme.

Rugby

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Lottery money has been awarded (a) to rugby clubs and (b) to promote rugby in each of the last six years; and if she will list the projects which have benefited.

Richard Caborn: Since 1997, the Department has invested a total of £48.7 in rugby. Over £30 million of this went to supporting amateur clubs. Rugby Union will also receive £9.4 million over 2003–04 to 2005–06 as part of Sport England's Community Club Development Programme for capital facilities work at amateur clubs.
	I will arrange for a list of projects for the last six years to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Sea Angling

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will provide support for the sport of sea angling.

Richard Caborn: DCMS recognises angling as a sport, supports the interests of anglers, and provides funding for the sport via Sport England. Since 1995 angling has received in excess of £2.1 million in Lottery Awards, in addition to over £280,000 in Awards for All grants.
	The three governing bodies for angling—including the National Federation of Sea Anglers—receive Exchequer funding in the form of annual development grants.
	I attended the World Junior/Youth Shore Angling Championships held in Bridlington earlier this year.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason he has not yet replied to the letter sent to him dated 25th September by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs. Safdar.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend in my letter of 1 December 2003.

Metropolitan Police

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Metropolitan Police officers were licensed to carry firearms in each year since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: The number of Metropolitan Police officers authorised to carry firearms in each year since 1997 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of authorised firearms officers (AFOs) 
		
		
			 1996–97 6,738 
			 1997–98 6,585 
			 1998–99 6,308 
			 1999–2000 6,262 
			 2000–01 6,064 
			 2001–02 5,776

Parliamentary Questions

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the written answers given by his Department on 19 November in response to questions from hon. Members included a promise to write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library; how many such letters have so far been sent; and by what date the remainder will be sent.

David Blunkett: The number of Parliamentary questions replied to on 19 and 20 November, which gave the answer of promising to write to the hon. Member and placing a copy of that letter in the Library was 340. Of these, 184 were tabled in the last four days available for tabling. Replies have so far been sent to 50 and the remainder are in the process of being answered.

Speed Cameras

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the European standards for speed cameras.

Caroline Flint: I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Recycling

Sue Doughty: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance the Government are giving local authorities regarding the purchase of recycled paper.

Phil Hope: Local authorities are independent and autonomous bodies responsible for making their own decision about procurement matters.
	The National Procurement Strategy for Local Government, prepared jointly by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Local Government Association (LGA), emphasises the importance of environmental objectives as part of the procurement process in local government. The strategy specifically advises that every council should build sustainability into its procurement strategy, processes and contracts.
	The Improvement and Development Agency (IdeA) have recently published their guide "Sustainability and Local Government Procurement" which sets out how local authorities can develop and implement a sustainable procurement policy and a risk-based strategy designed to tackle the categories of spending that have the greatest environmental and social impacts. The guidance contains the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) buying solutions "Quick Wins" on certain product specifications, which include targets on recycled paper. The guidance notes that the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) have recommended the wider adoption of these "Quick Wins" across the public sector, including local government.

Allotments

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to make changes to legislation relating to allotments.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no current plans to make any changes to legislation regarding allotments.

Beacon Towns

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister in assessing applications to the Special Grants Programme, what consultation there was with those responsible for DEFRA's Beacon Towns scheme.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister did not consult any other Department about applications to Stage 1 of the Special Grants Programme.

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to make an Order to bring into force the remaining provisions of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, with particular reference to section 164; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister anticipates making an Order by May 2004 to bring into force the remaining provisions of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. These provisions include those relating to property insurance (section 164), to the new Right to Enfranchise companies, and to accounting and forfeiture. Commencement dates will vary depending on the lead-in period needed by landlords to prepare for the changes, but section 164 should be effective by September 2004.

Legislation

John Redwood: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many pages of (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation his Department put through Parliament in 2002–03.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister sponsored three Bills during the 2002–03 session which made a total of 162 pages once enacted.
	In the case of secondary legislation the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was responsible for the making of 71 General Statutory Instruments which would have been considered by either the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments or the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments. These instruments made a total of 438 pages.

Local Government Finance

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the standard spending assessment per capita is for each of the English regions in 2003–04.

Nick Raynsford: Standard Spending Assessments ceased in 2002–03, and were replaced in 2003–04 by Formula Spending Shares (FSS). The following table gives the 2003–04 FSS per head for each of the English regions.
	
		
			 Government Office Region 2003–04FSS(£ million) Mid-2001 population estimate 2003–04FSS per head(£ per head) 
		
		
			 South West 5,160.341 4,934,162 1,045.84 
			 South East 8,455.974 8,006,896 1,056.09 
			 London 10,552.423 7,188,006 1,468.06 
			 Eastern 5,824.133 5,394,860 1,079.57 
			 East Midlands 4,523.400 4,175,081 1,083.43 
			 West Midlands 6,221.599 5,267,098 1,181.22 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 5,831.658 4,967,165 1,174.04 
			 North East 3,087.869 2,516,531 1,227.03 
			 North West 8,250.982 6,731,540 1,225.72 
		
	
	Please note that the mid-2001 population estimate used was that published by the Office for National Statistics on 10 October 2002, since these were the population estimates used in the calculation of the 2003–04 Formula Spending Shares. Following the approval by Parliament of the 2003–04 Local Government Finance Settlement, the mid-2001 population estimates were revised. An Amending Report for 2003–04 to reflect the revised mid-year estimates will be submitted to the House for approval in due course.

Local Government Finance

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many equity release loans local authorities have granted (a) in each of the last 10 years and (b) since 18 July 2002.

Keith Hill: The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 gave local authorities wide discretionary powers to provide assistance to homeowners and tenants to repair, improve and adapt their homes—including, for example, equity release loans—from 18 July 2002. This is subject to the authority having a policy in place setting out how it intends to use the powers. Prior to that date, local authorities had no powers to make such loans.
	Figures on the number of equity release loans and other forms of assistance given by local authorities for renewal of private sector homes in the financial year 2002–03 will be available early in 2004.

Starter Homes Initiative

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what grade of teachers will be eligible for equity loans under the recently announced scheme for housing; what terms will apply to the equity loans scheme for teachers; what estimate he has made of the number of teachers who will benefit from the equity loans scheme; and what implications this has for teacher participation in the Starter Homes Initiative.

Keith Hill: Full details of the operation of the housing scheme for key workers will be announced by the beginning of March. These will include; the criteria used to determine eligibility for teachers; and the terms and conditions to be applied to equity loans. The number of teachers and other key worker groups helped and the level of assistance will depend, in part, on the level of employer contributions and the personal circumstances of individuals. Funding continues to be available for teachers through the Starter Home Initiative, which will fund purchases, which can be exchanged up to 31 March 2004, the planned end date.

Sustainable Buildings Task Group

David Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will establish the Sustainable Buildings Task group; what its terms of reference will be; what its membership will be; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The Sustainable Buildings Task Group has been agreed. The Group will be co-chaired by Sir John Harman, Chairman of the Environment Agency and Victor Benjamin, Deputy Chairman of English Partnerships. The first meeting is planned for mid-December.
	The Group has been tasked with identifying specific, cost-effective, improvements in the quality and environmental performance of buildings which industry can deliver in both the short and long term, together with further actions that Government could take to facilitate faster progress. The Group will consider scope for delivering higher standards of environmental performance of new and refurbished buildings in respect of water, energy, timber and other construction materials, and waste reduction.
	The full membership of the Group comprises:
	Michael Ankers, Chief Executive, The Construction Products Association
	Julian Barwick, Joint Managing Director, Development Securities
	Sheila Button, Board Member, The Housing Corporation
	John Calcutt, Chief Executive, Crest Nicholson
	lan Coull, Chairman Designate, The Sustainable Construction Task Force
	Robert Napier, Chief Executive, WWF-UK
	Paul Noon, co-chairman, Trade Union Sustainable Development Advisory Committee
	Jennie Price, Chief Executive, The Waste and Resources Action Programme
	Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive, The Energy Saving Trust
	Peter Studdert, Director of Environment and Planning, Cambridge city council
	Lynne Sullivan, Sustainability Director, Broadway Malyan
	Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive, Water UK
	Bryan Woodley, UK Timber Frame Association
	Terry Wyatt, President, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
	And senior officials from Defra, DTI, ODPM and OGC.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Maintenance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to how many lone parents his Department has issued letters in the last 12 months informing them of their potential entitlement to child maintenance bonus in the event of them taking work; and what the average amount of those potential entitlements would be.

Des Browne: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive, David Anderson. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.
	Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 2 December 2003
	As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply direct to your question about letters issued in the last 12 months to lone parents advising them about their potential entitlement to Child Maintenance Bonus. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
	Unfortunately, the information on how many lone parents were issued letters in the last 12 months informing them of their potential entitlement to Child Maintenance Bonus is not available. It is not routinely collected. Figures are not readily available to determine what the average payment would be for those customers who, over the past 12 months, had been advised of a potential entitlement. This information could only be determined at disproportionate cost.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the letter of 15 September from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan's constituency colleague Mr. Stewart Stevenson MSP, regarding his constituent, Mr. J. Watson of Macduff.

Maria Eagle: I regret we have no record of having received Mr Stevenson's letter. If he would like to forward a copy I will arrange for it to be dealt with urgently.

Winter Fuel Payment

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many winter fuel payment claim forms have been issued in 2003 in the Haltemprice and Howden constituency; and how many claim forms have been submitted.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of Winter Fuel Payment claim forms issued so far this year for the Haltemprice and Howden constituency is 1,751 and of those 1,388 have been returned to date.
	We are publicising the availability of Winter Fuel Payments and how to obtain a claim form. Those who need to claim for this winter have until 30 March 2004 to do so.
	Note:
	Information to identify those likely to be entitled was extracted from the Departmental Central Index based on post codes.